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  • Planetary Differentiation: Which Worlds Separated into Layers?
    Differentiation, the process by which a planet's interior separates into layers of different densities, is believed to have occurred on all rocky planets and some larger moons in our solar system. This includes:

    * Earth: The most obvious example. We have a core of iron and nickel, a mantle of silicate rock, and a crust of lighter elements.

    * Mars: Has a core, mantle, and crust, although the exact composition and structure are less well-understood than Earth's.

    * Venus: Also has a core, mantle, and crust.

    * Mercury: Has a large iron core, a thin mantle, and a crust.

    * The Moon: Possesses a small, solid core, a mantle, and a crust.

    While less certain, differentiation is also likely to have happened on:

    * Io (Jupiter's moon): Volcanic activity suggests a partially molten interior and some level of differentiation.

    * Europa (Jupiter's moon): Its icy surface and potential subsurface ocean point to a possibility of differentiation.

    * Titan (Saturn's moon): A thick atmosphere and possible internal heat could have led to differentiation.

    It's important to remember that our knowledge of planetary interiors is largely based on indirect evidence and models. Direct observations are limited, especially for planets and moons beyond Earth.

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